10 Awesome Christmas Dates

Christmas is quickly approaching. Most of us are caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season: shopping, baking, cleaning and wrapping. I think it's important however, to slow down and take a minute to really spend some time with your honey. Just take a deep breath, let a few things go and go on a holiday date together. Here are my favorite ideas to get you going.

The Man Cave: My Marriage Answer

Today I was asked if I believe in marriage. My knee-jerk response was "of course", but the questioner wanted a better defense of my position. I told him I would have to give it some thought.

I thought.

Here is my answer:

5 Things I LOVE About My Husband

Today is Aaron's birthday, so I wanted to take a moment to tell you the top things I love about that man. I think that these qualities are very important in keeping our marriage strong and fresh every day, so maybe you might even learn a few tips for keeping your relationship strong as well.

So, without further adieu, here are the top 5 things I love about Aaron.

Just Be Together

A lot of people look at dating as some big, planned event that usually involves a lot of time and money. Geeze, just going to the movie and dinner requires a small loan to pay for it these days! Really, though, the most important ingredient in going on a date is just being together. It doesn't matter what you do as long as you spending time as a couple.

Take A Lesson Boys

I have the best husband in the world, he is always thinking of me. I was having a really bad day today: horrible sleep, injured food, super busy day and.... shhh (cramps to bring down a small horse). It didn't help the mood at all that it was dark, cold and pouring rain all day long. Aaron showed up from work with a big bouquet of flowers for me to cheer me up.

Aaron's Mistress

I feel like I have been running this blog long enough, and gotten to know most of you adequately, to feel comfortable admitting that my husband has a mistress. It has been going on since the day I met him and usually I just turn my back and ignore the two of them. However, there are times when their relationship takes too much time away from me, and that's when I get a little upset.

The Man Cave: The 7 Habits of Highly Married People

I am not a marriage expert. I have no formal training. I have, however, achieved something many marriage counselors have not: I have been blissfully married for 23 years. Well...23 years this Saturday. In observation of my and Kathy's upcoming anniversary, I present to you this amateur's 7 Habits of Highly Married People.

Enjoy.

We Need a Vacation

by Amy Hamblin

I came across an article the other day about what you can do to keep romance in your marriage.  I always love to read those articles just to see how many of the things they list are things that my husband and I already do.  One of the things listed was to take a vacation without your kids.

The Man Cave: Being Self-Complete

A few months ago I heard a guy giving a speech to a bunch of incoming college freshmen. (I don't remember his name, or I would give credit.) Most of his talk was about relationships. A lot of it was good stuff, and a lot of it was the incoming-Freshan-type-blather, but there was one thing that stuck in my mind.

Check it out.

Let Your Love Show Through

Aaron and I are not afraid of a little PDA: we hold hands all of the time, walk with arms locked firmly together or sneak an occasional kiss here and there. It is very rare to be out on a weekend and see one of us without the other. This is just second nature to me and I never really give it a second thought. Someone said something to me this weekend that made me feel really good about Aaron and I, so I wanted to share.

Talk Like You Just Met

As I was waiting for a client to show up yesterday I was reading through one of my magazines. I came across an article that peaked my interest ""10 secrets of super happy couples". Most of the things on there were not very awe inspiring for me, but one did stand out: I wanted to share it today because I thought it was a great idea.

You Guys Are Really In Love, Aren't You?

I love my husband fiercely. We just love being together, and when we are we are usually absorbed in each other completely: even after almost 23 years of marriage. Apparently we love each other so much that perfect strangers can tell. 

I have been dying to share this experience since it happened, but was so focused on Halloween it didn't seem to fit. However, now that Halloween is over and it is that time of year we contemplate all we are thankful for, now is the perfect time.

The Man Cave: Sauerkraut and Banana Peel Sandwich

After 23 years I think I've learned the two most important words in marriage. I truly believe if you can master them the odds of your marriage being a long and happy one increase exponentially.

Trouble is, when they cross your tongue these two simple words taste like a moldy sauerkraut and banana peel sandwich.

Schedule Time Together

Aaron and I took off last weekend together.... alone. I bought a Groupon voucher months ago for a buy one, get one night free, to a neighboring city and we finally used it. It was so nice to be away from everything: kids, phones, work, house chores - just out with only the two of us. 

Whether it's a weekend or an hour, scheduling time for each other is really important.

Quantity over Quality

I had a great evening yesterday. I didn't do anything grand, go anywhere special or spend any money: I went for a walk.

Sometimes it's the simplest things in life that bring us the most joy. Seeing your child smile, eating an ice cream cone on a hot day or walking hand in hand with your hubby lost in great conversation.

Support Each Others Interests

I am in a fog, and will be all day. Going to bed at 3:00 a.m. and then waking up at 8:30 a.m. will do that to you: and let's face it, I'm not 20 any more. Why on earth did I go to bed at 3:00 in the morning you ask? I was out partying with Aaron all night long.... sort of. Aaron is in a band.

Happy Birthday Aaron

Today is Aaron's birthday! He is 43 years young today and better than ever. I will not bore you with 43 things that make this man wonderful, but I will give you my ten thing that Aaron does to make our marriage and family so great. After all, that is what this blog is all about - right?

I'm A Bit Old Fashioned

I have a confession to make in my haze of fatigue this morning. I am a bit old fashioned when it comes to how I raise my kids and nurture my marriage. I do things for them that most moms have dumped to the wayside. Until my kids graduated from High School I would get up with them, make their breakfast and lunch for them, and see them off. And, yes, I still get up every morning and make Aaron's lunch for him before he goes to work.

Point - Aaron!

I had a very busy day yesterday. That tends to happen when you try to cram a gallons worth of activities into a pint sized day. Oh if you didn't have to eat or sleep..... think of all the time and money you would have! But, Aaron really came through for me yesterday and made it possible for everything to get done. Including the things I wanted to do and not just the things that I needed to do.

It's All About The Experience

Today is Aaron and my 22nd wedding anniversary. This is the very first picture ever taken of us. The year was 1985. I was 14 years old and Aaron 16. We were getting ready to go to a dance and his dad snapped this as we were heading out to the car. We had no clue at that moment that we would still be together 26 years later.